In case you missed it, the Bay Lights are about to go dark — at least for the next 11 months — and this week is your last chance to see them before they’re turned off so that Caltrans can do maintenance work on the bridge. If you want to head down to the waterfront to say goodbye, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thebaylights" target="_blank">you have two opportunities</a>: 7:30 p.m. Thursday or 5:30 a.m. Friday on the Embarcadero behind Waterbar. less

In case you missed it, the Bay Lights are about to go dark — at least for the next 11 months — and this week is your last chance to see them before they’re turned off so that Caltrans can do maintenance ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

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Yeah, you can follow Off the Grid around the city any old day of the week, but few events measure up to the <a href="http://offthegridsf.com/markets/fort-mason-center#about" target="_blank">Friday night showcase at Fort Mason</a>, which starts up again this week. From 5 to 10 p.m., you’ll find nearly 20 food trucks, plus food tents, dessert carts, a cocktail bar, wine bar and beers from Magnolia. Oh, yeah, and there’ll be DJs until 7:30 p.m. and live music until 8. less

Yeah, you can follow Off the Grid around the city any old day of the week, but few events measure up to the <a href="http://offthegridsf.com/markets/fort-mason-center#about" target="_blank">Friday night ... more

Photo: Stephen Lam / Special to The Chronicle

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There’s a reason why the <a href="http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/events/communityfair.htmlhttp://" target="_blank">Chinatown Community Street Fair</a> causes thousands of people to brave the crowds and head down to Chinatown every year; actually there are several reasons. Enjoy demonstrations of Chinese cultural arts like kite making, calligraphy and dancing; watch acrobats and lion dancers; or just soak in the sights and sounds. The festival runs all day Saturday and Sunday, while <a href="http://www.chineseparade.com" target="_blank">the parade</a> starts a little after 5 p.m. Saturday at Second and Market streets. less

There’s a reason why the <a href="http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/events/communityfair.htmlhttp://" target="_blank">Chinatown Community Street Fair</a> causes thousands of people to brave the crowds and ... more

Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

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Are you a fan of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” but aren’t really fond of those midnight screenings? Here’s your chance to catch the movie with a crowd at a more reasonable hour. The Contemporary Jewish Museum’s <a href="http://www.thecjm.org/programs/special-events/751-night-at-the-jewseum-purim" target="_blank">Night at the Jewseum: Purim</a> event on Thursday evening includes a screening of the cult classic, along with live music, poets, specialty cocktails, crafts and more. less

Are you a fan of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” but aren’t really fond of those midnight screenings? Here’s your chance to catch the movie with a crowd at a more reasonable hour. The Contemporary ... more

Photo: 20th Century Fox 1975 / ONLINE_YES

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The National Day of Unplugging is this weekend, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, during which you’re not supposed to turn off your smartphone, tablet and whatever else you use to stay connected and instead reconnect with the world and people around you. <a href="http://unplugsf.com/" target="_blank">The party starts Friday</a> at Broadway Studios, where you’ll check your phone at the door and enjoy two stages of live music, plus board games, arts and crafts and more. less

The National Day of Unplugging is this weekend, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, during which you’re not supposed to turn off your smartphone, tablet and whatever else you use to stay connected and ... more

Photo: http://unplugsf.com/

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5 Bay Area events to check out this weekend, March 5-8

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This is a weekend of endings and beginnings, with the Chinese New Year Parade marking the end of the Bay Area’s Lunar New Year celebrations and the Bay Lights going dark for the next 11 months, while Off the Grid’s return to Fort Mason on Friday night means the outdoor events of spring and summer aren’t far behind. Or, you can just ditch your smartphone this weekend and enjoy all the unplugged fun to be had here in the Bay Area.